A few weeks ago I was reading this article on Mind Body Green. I really enjoyed the article about how a woman was able to start loving herself, imperfections and all. Two words in the article jumped out at me: Wabi-sabi. This was because there’s a little cafe close by to me that I’m yet to visit called Wabi Sabi, but when I read more, I understood that Wabi Sabi is a Japanese concept linked to finding the beauty of imperfection, a concept that immediately appealed to me.
That lead me to do more research into the concept and it’s origins. You can read more about it and it’s origins in Buddhism and art here, but this particular statement stood out to me:
It seems that the origins of the words are quite melancholic, but could the idea of Wabi-sabi be helpful as a concept for thinking out our bodies and even our lives? They are constantly changing, never ‘finished’ and never perfect, could using this concept for ourselves help us to see our life and bodies in a different light? Wabi-sabi also has a meaning that can be linked with living simply and enjoying the moment. Another thing a lot of us could benefit from.
It’s something I’ve been saying for a long time, that embracing my ‘imperfections’ and seeing them as something beautiful and worthy of love has helped me become more self accepting and ultimately self loving.
In the Mind Body Green article, the author talks about seeing herself as a Wabi-sabi artisan, and I’d like to declare myself a Wabi-sabi artisan too!
I don’t consider an acceptance of imperfection as equal to giving up wanting to improve yourself or your life. More it’s an acceptance of how things are in the moment, whether that’s your life or your body, and making peace with that so that you can move forward in a positive way. Ultimately, somethings in life can’t be changed, we can’t turn back the clock, we can’t undo somethings that have been done. But, we can try and see the beauty in the imperfections, the complexity that is life and the stunning individuality and uniqueness in us all.
Have you heard of the concept of Wabi-sabi? Do you feel that seeing the beauty of imperfections helps you in your life?
What a wonderful concept. I will definitely think of this from now on, thank you :)
My pleasure, it’s lovely isn’t it :-)
Great concept, definitely a good way of looking at things.
I love that – we “never finished”. It’s so true. How we are today is not how we will necessary be next year or even next month. There’s always something you can do to improve things, and not necessarily aesthetically! Lovely ideal :)
Absolutely, we are always changing and I find that quite a nice thought :-)
Its totally new to me but I totally agree things that aren’t always perfect are sometimes more beautiful : )
They are indeed :-)
I love it!
This is awesome, what a great and oddly comforting concept !
So beautiful Laura. There is a book I recently read called “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brene Brown and is a wonderful read. I think that imperfections in life and in ourselves (and in other people) are what makes life so facinating and precious, if we were all the same and didn’t hold such unique qualities the world would be such a terribly boring place.
That sounds like a wonderful book – I wish more people could take that view, life would be so boring if everyone was ‘perfect’ x
I love this idea! Although I read it as wasabi!
It is true we are never finished, things are always changing, we are always learning.
Haha, I’ll keep seeing it as wasabi now! I definitely love to remember that we are always learning :-)
I really like this concept. I think we should all consider ourselves ‘perfectly imperfect’ – we’re not perfect, but that’s OK. I agree that it is our flaws that make us interesting and unique. I am slowly coming to accept and love myself more. I think focusing on nourishing foods and exercise that I enjoy certainly helps, as well as yoga and meditation to connect mind and body.
Lovely to hear that you are coming to accept and love yourself more, I do agree that focusing on taking care of yourself in that way can really help x
I’ve never heard of this concept before, but I love it! Wabi-sabi should be my new mantra!
loving it!
I have never heard of this before, but I really love it – great concept. Learning to love myself is one of the hardest, but best things I have ever done.